Foam roller cleaning system for a liquid electrophotographic printer
US5521685A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 25, 1995 |
| Grant date | May 28, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 25, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/101
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A foam roller cleaning system for removing excess toner and carrier in an LEP printer includes a foam roller, having a reduced outer foam layer thickness, that is retractably engagable with an adjacent wringer bar for selective yet complete compression of the foam roller. The outer foam layer thickness is reduced to limit the volume of toner that can accumulate in the foam and, consequently, to reduce the build-up of toner solids therein. The complete compression of the outer foam layer by the wringer bar ensures removal of substantially all toner from the foam to prevent toner solids build-up and to improve cleaning of the foam. The retractable engagement of the foam roller with the wringer bar prevents compression set in the foam roller for improved cleaning of the developer and rigidizing/squeegee rollers and improved useful life of the foam roller.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.